[Raul PoV]
The following day, I was at the academy because teaching activities for third-year students were supposed to have resumed. However, with a war like this, they are usually included as reserve forces for the conflict.
Walking around the academy grounds, I saw security officers from the Ministry of Defense standing guard. This was because the Vice Minister was here to conduct the conscription of the third-year students.
Not long after, I reached the main hall of the academy. Many third-year students had already filled the building. I took a seat in an empty chair to wait for the Vice Minister's arrival.
"Captain?"
Hearing someone call out, I turned to the side. A small-statured woman was sitting beside me. It was Tianna Lovecraft—one of my members in the Disciplinary Committee.
"What is it, Tianna?" I asked her.
"Will all the members of the disciplinary committee not be together this time?" the petite woman asked.
"Since I have been designated as the Captain of the 21st Reconnaissance Unit by Emperor Philip, I have the right to choose my squad later," I answered her. "I think I will bring you all along."
A Reconnaissance Unit consists of only 50 to 100 troops. Their duties are to locate the enemy, conduct surveillance, carry out patrols, and perform other tasks related to scouting.
"Thank goodness, then. It will be easier for me if I am in the same team as the others," Tianna remarked.
After chatting briefly with Tianna, I saw the Vice Minister enter the building with several of his aides. He walked up to the podium and surveyed all the students present.
"Good afternoon, Young Blood of the Empire!" greeted the Vice Minister. "My name is Vincent de Salamanca—Vice Minister of Defense of the Aragon Empire. As you know, our nation has declared war against the Republic of Venetia. Our soldiers have begun mobilizing to fight and defeat our enemies."
The main focus of the Imperial forces will surely be in the territory of the Hernant Duchy. However, considering the Republic of Venetia sent its intelligence team to the Margraviate of Cataluna back then, it seems they will also launch an attack there, meaning this war will have two fronts. Furthermore, they will execute the attack on the Margraviate of Cataluna swiftly to seize the territory before the Empire has a chance to respond.
"This war is an opportunity for young people like you to gain valuable experience and shine by demonstrating your abilities," the Vice Minister said, his voice rising. "Andreas the Punisher, Marco the Ironman, and Jarvis the Elemental were knights and mages who entered the battlefield when they were your age, and their young talents shone in real combat."
It is true; some academy students who enter the battlefield are able to shine and make a name for themselves. Their careers as Knights or Mages will also be brilliant after gaining recognition while fighting the nation's enemies. However, this only happens to a small fraction of students. Most of them suffer trauma when they are unable to overcome the horrors experienced during war. Only students capable of conquering their fear can shine like those legends.
"I am certain that one of you will surely return with glory after this war ends, alongside the victory of the Empire over its enemies!" the Vice Minister said with a passionate voice. "For that reason, embolden yourselves; this is your chance to serve your beloved country with all the soul and body you possess. Show the world how the younger generation of the Empire will continue our dominance on this continent!"
What he said was very classic—almost identical to how leaders in my original world would recruit youth to go to the battlefield.
"Glory—to the Empire!" shouted the Vice Minister while clenching his fist upward.
The students and I then stood and followed his words.
"GLORY TO THE EMPIRE!"
"GLORY TO THE EMPIRE!"
Following the address, the Vice Minister summoned the students to the platform to receive a special badge for academy students participating in this war, while handing over their assignment letters and their future positions in the conflict.
Once the event concluded, I gathered all the members in the disciplinary committee office to explain what we would be doing.
"Hey Tazz, you look gallant wearing that badge," Erik said, praising the large-statured man.
"What do you think this badge is made of?" asked Piers, who was examining the badge he had received.
They appeared to be smiling and feeling proud of the "Young Blood" badge they had officially received from the Empire. This showed that the state had recognized them as official Imperial soldiers.
"Alright, listen to me, everyone."
Hearing my words, they all turned and paid close attention.
"We will be stationed in the Margraviate of Cataluna—the place where we conducted our internship previously," I revealed to them. "This region borders the Republic of Venetia and the Kingdom of Draconia."
"Huh? Isn't that place very far from the main war front, Captain?" Piers asked, sounding a bit disappointed. "Does that mean we won't actually participate in this war!?"
All members seemed to have the same question as Piers. I then took a map scroll and pinned it to the whiteboard wall so everyone could understand my explanation.
"This is the map of the Empire's northern border," I told them. "The main front of this war will be in the border region of the Hernant Duchy." I pointed to the mentioned area using a ruler. "This region is nearly 800 km away from the Margraviate of Cataluna, where we are assigned."
Everyone looked closely at the map before them. Not all of my members had perfectly memorized the geography of their own country.
"Last night, we received news that the Kingdom of Draconia chose to form an alliance with the Republic of Venetia," I informed them. "Therefore, it is not impossible for a new front to be created in this war in the northwest—specifically in the Margraviate of Cataluna, which borders both these nations."
Several members nodded as if they understood my point. However, it seems unlikely that the soldiers in the Margraviate of Cataluna could hold off an attack from troops passing through the Stretto Path—a secret route that Siena likely discovered while she was on her intelligence mission here.
"Currently, the total forces of the Venetian-Grecan Alliance reach 80,000 men," I revealed. "The Kingdom of Draconia has 40,000 troops, bringing the total forces of this three-nation alliance to 120,000 men."
120,000 men makes the alliance forces exceed the number of troops the Empire possesses, not including the Reserve Units drawn from 30 percent of the Noble forces directly under the Empire.
"My prediction is that this war will have two fronts," I told them seriously. "The West Front centered around the City of Tusculum, and the East Front centered in the Margraviate of Cataluna—the region where we will serve."
Hearing my words, all the members who were initially disappointed at the prospect of not participating in the war suddenly looked tense.
"But Captain, how is it possible for their troops to attack Cataluna, given the Montana Mountains separate our country from theirs?" said Barney, a Mage on the disciplinary committee.
"Barney, in a war like this, the enemy must have prepared unexpected plans to weaken the Empire," I told him. "We must prepare for the worst so we can respond quickly to unexpected and dangerous maneuvers carried out by the enemy."
If my guess is correct, then the attack on the Margraviate of Cataluna is one of the keys to the Alliance's victory. If we can handle their attack later, then the war's initiative will remain with us.
***
[Luciano de Reginossa—President of the Republic of Venetia PoV]
For several days, my sleep has been irregular due to the declaration of war issued by the Aragon Empire. Although we had predicted and prepared for this, the pressure we face is immense because this concerns the future—for better or worse—of our Nation.
Currently, I am waiting for Siena's arrival before heading to the meeting room to discuss war strategy with the generals of the Greco Republic and the Kingdom of Draconia who are already present. This is done so all our forces can coordinate effectively and choose a Supreme Commander for the combined forces to unify the entire chain of command.
— Knock! Knock! Knock!
I heard a knock on my study door.
"Come in."
The door opened to reveal a woman with black hair just like mine, but with orange eyes like my late wife—Matilda.
"Sit down," I commanded her.
My daughter then sat before me; her face showed neither sadness nor joy. She has always been like this since waking from her coma after the accident she suffered.
"What is it you wish to discuss with me, Siena?" I asked her.
"Father, why did you betroth me to Prince Vlad without speaking to me beforehand?"
Hearing Siena's question, I rubbed my forehead because I had indeed forgotten to discuss it with her. I had been too busy with state affairs to remember something as important as this.
"Forgive me, Siena, I have not had much time lately," I said regretfully. "My decision came suddenly because we did not have enough value to convince the Kingdom of Draconia to form an alliance with us otherwise."
Hearing my words, Siena merely sighed and said, "Very well. Next time, speak to me before deciding things that concern my life."
"Huh? You won't reject this engagement, Siena?" I asked her.
"If it is for the future of our Nation, I do not mind even sacrificing my life, Father," she answered while looking into my eyes.
Siena—she is a very good girl. As her father, I have always felt guilty for constantly utilizing her for my interests until I achieved this presidential seat.
"No, Siena, your life is more important because you are the future of this country," I told her. "Do not push yourself too hard in the upcoming battles; you are the one who will lead this nation to the pinnacle of its glory."
Siena is a special child for this nation. She is the only descendant of the Venetian people in history capable of using magic. Previously, we thought our people were cursed to never be able to use magic for eternity. However, Siena's birth broke that curse. She is the new beginning for our People to achieve glory in accessing wondrous magical powers.
I suspect this is because of my late wife—Matilda—who was a special mage. Even if our people had intimate relations with mages, we still never produced offspring capable of using magic. But destiny said otherwise when Siena was born. And I am certain Matilda was a descendant of a powerful mage family, even though she never spoke of her family background to me.
"I think that is all I wanted to discuss, Father," Siena said as she stood from her chair. "Let us hurry to the meeting room to discuss the alliance's war strategy."
"Alright."
The two of us then left my study and walked toward the meeting room. I saw the Presidential Palace guards saluting me as we passed them. I suppose once this war is over, I will retire from the world of politics and help Siena attain the seat of the First Female President of the Republic of Venetia. I am certain this country will be more advanced in the hands of my talented daughter.
We then reached the meeting room. Siena walked toward where the military officials were, while I walked to the special chair provided for me. On my left were the Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, and military officials of the Kingdom of Draconia, while on my right were the Diplomats and military leaders of the Greco Republic.
"Very well, let us begin the meeting to discuss our Alliance's war strategy to face the Imperial forces." I opened the meeting without a formal greeting to save precious time. "First, let us hear what the Kingdom of Draconia wishes to convey regarding this war."
Hearing my words, the Defense Minister of the Kingdom of Draconia stood while holding a piece of paper.
"The Kingdom of Draconia will bring a total of 40,000 troops, as well as 1,000 Knights and 200 Mages," said the Minister. "Our forces will arrive at the City of Cosentia in approximately 15 days with enough food logistics for 20 days. We hope the Republic of Venetia will fulfill our troops' logistical needs for the duration of the war."
After stating his request, the Minister sat back down.
"Thank you. We will consistently fulfill all the needs of the Draconian forces upon their arrival in our territory," I replied to the request. "Next, is there anything the Greco Republic wishes to discuss before this meeting commences?"
The diplomat from the Greco Republic then stood.
"Lord President, apologies, but our troops will arrive slightly later than the 10 days promised," the diplomat answered.
"Why is this the case, Lord Astropus?" I asked him.
"This is due to a landslide disaster that resulted in the closure of the main road leading to the Republic of Venetia," he replied regretfully. "Our troops will likely arrive at the City of Tusculum 15 days after the Imperial forces reach this region."
Fifteen days, is it? It seems our side must withstand the onslaught of the Emperor's much larger forces for longer than expected.
"Very well, Lord Astropus. We will lend the Republic of Venetia's fleet if it can expedite the Greco Republic's arrival at Tusculum."
"Thank you, Lord President."
After hearing several requests and obstacles from our two allies, I then summoned the guards to bring a large map of our territory to discuss the war strategy.
"The war strategy for our Alliance will be discussed by Major Siena of the Tigrenata Battalion." I looked at my daughter, who then stood as I called her name. "Major, please explain to us what strategy our forces will take."
"Thank you, Mr. President. As we know, the full Imperial forces will arrive at the Hernant Duchy within a range of 20 days," Siena said. Everyone present looked at my daughter, who was still only 21 years old. "My prediction is that the Empire will attack toward the City of Tusculum with 80,000 troops and keep their remaining 20,000 troops to intercept reinforcements coming from the Greco Republic."
Siena then explained that the Venetian forces would divide their troops into two parts on the Western Front of this war. 20,000 troops would defend the City of Tusculum and retreat slowly to draw the Imperial forces deeper into our territory. The remaining 30,000 troops would sail the Vicenzo River and land near the Mazovia Forest, then defeat the 20,000 remaining Imperial troops left behind to block the Greco Republic's aid.
"After defeating the 20,000 Imperial troops at the rear, the Venetian and Greco forces will join to besiege the remaining 80,000 Imperial troops who have pushed deep into Venetian territory," Siena continued, explaining the strategy in detail. "If this plan is executed well, the Imperial forces will be surrounded from three directions, and we can destroy them in a decisive battle."
Siena herself had devised this plan before she went on her intelligence mission to the Empire. However, she told me she had obtained two secret plans after finishing her mission in Imperial territory.
Someone stood and raised their hand after hearing Siena's explanation. It was one of the military officials from the Greco Republic.
"Major Siena, what if we are unable to destroy the main Imperial force or fail to defeat the 20,000 troops guarding their rear?"
"If we fail to execute this plan perfectly, the 40,000 troops from the Kingdom of Draconia will move through the path I discovered in the Montana Mountains and attack the Margraviate of Cataluna to begin stabbing them through to the heart of the Capital, Terragona," Siena answered. "If this plan succeeds, we will gain the initiative in this war."
This was the result of Siena's mission in the Aragon Empire. I suspect they will never expect us to attack from the very edge of the Empire, protected by high mountains impossible for tens of thousands of troops to cross.
"However, if this plan also fails, there is still one secret plan I am keeping for a crucial moment later."
Siena then explained the secret plan that would shake the Empire, destabilizing their nation and allowing our Alliance to strike back into their territory.
***
Author Note:
I apologize if you're confused about the progress of the war later. Honestly, I've created a map to help you better understand how the war will unfold, but I can't upload it on this platform like I can on the local platform where I write this novel originally.